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Building a transit lane to improve access for public transport and emergency services is a key aspect of the Hobart City Deal.

The transit lane is proposed to operate northbound between Olinda Grove and Macquarie Street, as a ‘T3’ transit lane. That means it could be used by private vehicles carrying three or more people, and buses, taxis, motorbikes, and emergency service vehicles.

The transit lane will complement the Kingborough park and ride facilities and bus improvements on Macquarie Street to provide an end-to-end solution for transport along this important road corridor.

The proposed transit lane will support a greater uptake of public transport and carpooling, and improved travel times and reliability for transit lane users.

Plans and designs

This updated design was developed after reviewing the community feedback and advice from engineering consultants.

Click on the image below to view the Southern Outlet Transit Lane design in full size.

Southern Outlet - Transit Lane- Design - August 2022

Below is a concept design of the T3 transit lane and peak hour clearway.

Click on the image below to view the T3 Transit Lane and Peak Hour Clearway concept design in full size.

T3 Transit Lane and Peak Hour Clearway concept design

Community Consultation

Community consultation finished in September 2021 for the Southern Outlet Transit Lane and the Macquarie and Davey Streets Bus Improvements.

You can read more about the consultation and findings here.

1Timeline

We are timing these works to minimise traffic impacts and make sure we aren’t working on too many sections at the same time.

Tender advertised for Macquarie and Davey Street Bus Improvements

October 2023

Tenders advertised for Transit Lane Connector between Davey and Macquarie Streets

Late 2023

Work finishes on Macquarie and Davey Street Bus Improvements

Early to mid 2024

Work starts on Macquarie and Davey Streets Bus Improvements

January 2024

Tenders awarded for Transit Lane Connector

Early 2024

Work finishes on Macquarie and Davey Streets Bus Improvements

Mid 2024

Construction starts on Transit Lane Connector between Macquarie and Davey Streets

Mid 2024

Construction starts on rock preliminary rock work for Southern Outlet Transit lane

late 2024

Tenders advertised for major construction of Southern Outlet Transit Lane

mid to late 2024

Tenders awarded for major construction of Southern Outlet Transit Lane

Late 2024

Construction starts on Southern Outlet Transit lane

Early 2025

2Rockface protection works

We have done investigations of the rockface at the southern end of the proposed Transit Lane site.

The rockface is safe, but needs further protection works to be completed before we start on major the construction of the Transit Lane, to reduce the risk of rocks falling during construction.

The rock protection work will start just down from the Olinda Grove ramp, for a distance of about 400 metres.

This work is expected to start in mid-2024 and take about 12 months to complete.

Why is this work being done?

After extensive site investigations, particularly of the rockface near the Olinda Grove ramp, our engineers identified a risk of rockfall during the construction of the Transit Lane. While there is no current risk to road users, they found that the vibration and rock breaking work associated with construction could result in rockfall. This means further rock stability and protection works were required before major construction work began.

Is there a current threat to road users?

No. The identified risk is related to the potential impact of significant construction work in the area.

What impact will the works have on traffic?

This is still to be determined and will be discussed with the successful contractors from the tender process. The priority is the safety of road users and workers involved in the project. Other considerations will be the timing of the works, including the suitability of night works, and noise issues.

How much of the rockface will need to be protected?

At this stage, we are looking at rock protection work for an area around 400 metres long.

When will work start and how long will it take?

The tender is expected to be awarded in 2024  with work expected to start on the rockface protection in mid-2024 and take around a year to complete, weather permitting.

Traffic impacts

The construction of the Southern Projects program will see more roadworks over the next three years and the need for temporary measures to avoid congestion, particularly during the peak periods.

We will continue to work on ways to reduce the impact of the Transit Lane construction on traffic flow and will share more information with the community and stakeholders as the project progresses.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the project team on 1800 879 119 or email at southernoutlet@stategrowth.tas.gov.au.